Recent studies show that the United States spends almost 44% more for health care than Switzerland, though Switzerland has the second higher per capita health care costs. Even with these escalated costs, Americans have fewer visits and spend less time with their doctors, as well as experience shorter hospital stays than any other industrialized nation.

The reason for this is also one of the strongest arguments for health care reform: Americans pay more for the same level of care than anywhere else in the world. Part of the problem lies in the fact the governments set the rates that will be paid for different treatments and drugs in other countries, while this is not the case here in the United States. This results in private insurers paying higher rates for the same services – at times astronomically higher — as they are carrying the load of negotiating fees. This results in a trickledown effect as consumers face skyrocketing insurance premiums, and ever higher deductibles and coinsurance.

As Americans, we need to take control of our health care costs and re-evaluate what we consider “medically necessary”. The latest and greatest technology, though nice to have on hand when necessary, should really only be used if they achieve a desired clinical benefit. By controlling unnecessary spending, we can curb excessive spending, and put the money back in our pockets for when we really need it.